Method and apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage

ABSTRACT

There is provided with a method for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage that humidifies hair readily and improves hair damage with the use of both positive ions and negative ions. A positive ion generation means for discharging electricity between electrodes applied by a voltage to generate positive ions combined to water molecules and a negative ion generation means for discharging electricity between electrodes applied by a voltage to generate negative ions combined to water molecules are prepared. Hair is humidified and hair damage is reduced by irradiation of hair with the positive and negative ions generated respectively by the positive ion generation means and the negative ion generation means.

This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCTInternational Application No. PCT/JP2012/060316 which has anInternational filing date of Apr. 17, 2012 and designated the UnitedStates of America.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus forhumidifying hair and reducing hair damage for providing moisture to hairwith ions and improving hair condition.

BACKGROUND

Many ladies have various worries on the cosmetics. One of typicalproblems is hair damage, and it is mainly caused by hair drying. Thehair drying not only generates dry feeling, but also produces someproblems such as easily generating static electricity and losingcohesiveness of the whole hairs as well as mote and dust easilyattaching to hair.

Cosmetics, such as hair conditioner, are sold as hair care use for along time. The basic mechanism of these cosmetics is for making hairsurface smooth. As using the cosmetics, the hair friction is reduced andthe hair obtains soft feeling. Additionally, the efficiency of lightreflection becomes better and hence the hair obtains glossiness.

The hair conditioner is composed mainly of cationic surfactant. Thecationic surfactant is easily adhered to the hair carrying a negativecharge. For this property, the cationic surfactant covers the hair andthen smoothens the surface of hair.

Unfortunately, the above-mentioned method of using cosmetics hastemporary effects such as unable to sustain the effect under dryingenvironment in addition to the troublesome treatment.

Recently, a cosmetic apparatus capable of hair caring at home has alsobeen commercialized. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-OpenNo. 2003-275011 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-55351disclose and commercialize cosmetic apparatuses such as hair drying andhair ironing for producing ions. These apparatuses improve haircondition with ions carrying negative charges. However, in the event ofhaving wet hair or damaged hair, since the hair is carrying a negativecharge, the hair has lower absorption efficiency even if many negativeions are generated.

On the other hand, in the event of having dry hair, in particular, inthe event of brushing and drying, since the hair is carried with apositive charge through friction generated between the hair and thebrush, the hair has higher absorption efficiency as many negative ionsare generated.

In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-49101discloses a hair dryer generating positive ions and negative ions. Theinvention of it aims to improve hair damage by cancelling a chargingphenomenon on hair, similar to the inventions disclosed in JapanesePatent Applications Laid-Open No. 2003-275011 and Laid-Open No.2004-55351.

SUMMARY

As described above, the conventional cosmetic apparatuses performinghair caring with the generation of ions improve hair damage by means ofcancelling a charging phenomenon on hair. However, generating positiveions and negative ions, providing moisture to hair with the positiveions and negative ions and then improving hair damage have not beenproposed.

It has been known that more serious hair damage, such as split hair ordistrix, is caused at the time of drying and styling washed hair.However, any method for improving these problems other than a method ofusing a pack of medicine has not been proposed.

In addition, with regard to the use of a cosmetic apparatus for haircaring, it is desired to vary the amount of generated ions in accordancewith events such as generating more negative ions in the case ofobtaining relaxation effects.

In view of such circumstances as described above, the present inventionaims to provide a method and an apparatus for humidifying hair andreducing hair damage that humidifies hair at ease and improves hairdamage with the use of positive ions and negative ions and that reduceshair damage such as serious split hair or cracked hair, which easilyoccurs at the time of drying and styling washed hair.

A method for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage in accordancewith the present invention comprises preparing a positive ion generationmeans for discharging electricity by the application of voltage togenerate positive ions combined to water molecules and a negative iongeneration means for discharging electricity by the application ofvoltage to generate negative ions combined to water molecules; andhumidifying hair and reducing damage occurring in hair by irradiatingthe positive ions and negative ions generated respectively by thepositive ion generation means and the negative ion generation means tohair.

The method for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage in accordancewith the present invention features that the positive ion is H⁺(H₂O)_(m)(m is an arbitrary natural number), and the negative ion is O₂⁻(H₂O)_(n) (n is an arbitrary natural number).

The method for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage in accordancewith the present invention further comprises preparing an air blowingmechanism for blowing air including the positive ions and negative ionsgenerated respectively by the positive ion generation means and thenegative ion generation means and blowing air from the air blowingmechanism.

The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage inaccordance with the present invention comprises a positive iongeneration means for discharging electricity by the application ofvoltage to generate positive ions combined to water molecules and anegative ion generation means for discharging electricity by theapplication of voltage to generate negative ions combined to watermolecules, and is configured to irradiate the positive ions and negativeions generated respectively by the positive ion generation means; andthe negative ion generation means to hair.

With regard to the method and apparatus for humidifying hair andreducing hair damage in accordance with the present invention, thepositive ion generation means discharges electricity by the applicationof voltage to generate positive ions combined to water molecules, andthe negative ion generation means discharges electricity by theapplication of voltage to generate negative ions combined to watermolecules. The positive ions and negative ions generated respectively bythe positive ion generation means and the negative ion generation meansare irradiated to hair.

The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage inaccordance with the present invention features that the positive ion isH⁺(H₂O)_(m) (m is an arbitrary natural number), and the negative ion isO₂ ⁻(H₂)_(n) (n is an arbitrary natural number).

The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage inaccordance with the present invention is configured such that thepositive ion generation means and the negative ion generation means arecapable of changing the amount of positive ions and negative ions to begenerated respectively.

With regard to this apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hairdamage, the positive ion generation means and the negative iongeneration means are capable of changing the amount of positive ions andnegative ions to be generated respectively.

The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage inaccordance with the present invention further comprises an air blowingmechanism for blowing air including the positive ions and negative ionsgenerated respectively by the positive ion generation means and thenegative ion generation means.

With regard to the method and the apparatus for humidifying hair andreducing hair damage in accordance with the present invention, the airblowing mechanism blows air including the positive ions and negativeions generated respectively by the positive ion generation means and thenegative ion generation means.

The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage inaccordance with the present invention is configured such that the airblowing mechanism blows air at a wind speed not more than 15 m/s.

With regard to this apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hairdamage, the air blowing mechanism blows air at a wind speed not morethan 15 m/s.

The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage inaccordance with the present invention further comprises a heating meansfor heating air blown from the air blowing mechanism.

With regard to this apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hairdamage, the heating means heats air blown from the air blowingmechanism.

With regard to the method for humidifying hair and reducing hair damagein accordance with the present invention, the method provides moistureto hair irradiated with generated positive and negative ions bydischarge, and removes static electricity so as to bring the effect ofhair beauty, therefore, it is easy to handle without maintenance andcost required for buying medicine. The method for humidifying hair andreducing hair damage that humidifies hair and improves hair damage withthe use of positive ions and negative ions can be realized. Thesepositive ions and negative ions are combined to water molecules, andthese water molecules adhere to the hair and provide moisture. Sincepositive ions and negative ions are both generated, the effect ofmoisture giving can be obtained with sufficient number of ions even ifthe hair is carried with either polarity.

According to the apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hairdamage, the apparatus provides moisture to hair irradiated withgenerated positive and negative ions by discharge, and removes staticelectricity so as to bring the effect of hair beauty, therefore, themaintenance and cost required for buying medicine is not necessary. Theapparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage that humidifieshair and improves hair damage with the use of positive ions and negativeions can be realized. These positive ions and negative ions are combinedto water molecules, and these water molecules adhere to the hair andprovide moisture. Since positive ions and negative ions are bothgenerated, the effect of moisture giving can be obtained with sufficientnumber of ions even if the hair is carried with either polarity.

In addition, according to the apparatus for humidifying hair andreducing hair damage, each generation amount of positive ions andnegative ions can be freely changed, therefore, the effect of ionsmatched with peripheral temperature and humidity conditions can beefficiently obtained.

The above and further objects and features will more fully be apparentfrom the following detailed description with accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a cosmeticapparatus as an embodiment of a method and an apparatus for humidifyinghair and reducing hair damage related to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of thecosmetic apparatus as indicated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of appearance of an iongeneration apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an example of configuration of theion generation apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a measurement result related to the variationof moisture amount of a hair sample in the case of non-wind.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing a measurement result related to the variationof moisture amount of a hair sample at a wind speed about 3 m/s.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an example of configuration of anion generation apparatus of a cosmetic apparatus related to the presentinvention.

FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing a diagrammatic configurationof a hair dryer for commercial use as an embodiment of a method and anapparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage related to thepresent invention.

FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram showing the hair dryer for commercialuse as indicated in FIG. 8A in a state of being used. FIG. 9 is aperspective view showing an example of appearance of an ion generationapparatus.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing a measurement result of moisture amount of ahair sample at a wind speed about 8 m/s.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing a measurement result of a number of hairdamage generation in a hair sample at a wind speed about 15 m/s.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is described in more detail hereinafter withreference to the drawings showing the embodiments.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a cosmeticapparatus as an embodiment of a method and an apparatus for humidifyinghair and reducing hair damage related to the present invention. FIG. 2is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the cosmeticapparatus.

The cosmetic apparatus has a substantially cylindrical shape with an airflow channel 3 formed therein. A discharge port 1 for discharging air isformed at the downstream side of the air flow channel 3, and a suctionport 2 for sucking air is formed at the upstream side thereof. The airflow channel 3 is a flow channel connected from the suction port 2 tothe discharge port 1. An air blowing mechanism 4 provided with a siroccofan and a motor for driving the sirocco fan is arranged inside the airflow channel 3, and an intake port of the sirocco fan becomes thesuction port 2.

The air blowing mechanism 4 sucks air through the suction port 2 andintroduces the air into the air flow channel 3, and then circulates theair at the downstream side of the air flow channel 3. A heating part 5for heating the air circulated in the air flow channel 3 is arranged inthe part of the downstream side of the air flow channel 3 relative tothe air blowing mechanism 4. The heating part 5 is configured with aninsulation plate and a heater wire wounded up at the outside of theinsulation plate.

In addition, two branch paths 3 a, 3 b are divided from the partpositioning at the downstream side of the air flow channel 3 relative tothe air blowing mechanism 4 and at the upstream side of the air flowchannel 3 relative to the heating part 5. The branch paths 3 a, 3 b areformed inside cylindrical protrusive cylinders 7 a, 7 b jointlyconnected to outside from a lateral surface of the air flow channel 3,and they communicate with the air flow channel 3 at inlet ports thereof.

Each of ion generation parts 10 a, 10 b for generating positive ions andnegative ions respectively is arranged inside the two branch paths 3 a,3 b, individually. The positive ions and negative ions generated by theion generation parts 10 a, 10 b are sent to hair with wind individually.

At the side of the suction port 2 of the air flow channel 3, a handle 21is provided at a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinaldirection of the air flow channel 3. An operation switch 6 is providedat the part of the handle 21 to be grasped by a user. A main body case14 of an ion generation apparatus including the ion generation parts 10a, 10 b is stored inside the handle 21.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of configuration of theion generation apparatus 10.

The ion generation apparatus 10 is provided with the main body case 14for storing a circuit part and the ion generation parts 10 a, 10 b. Theion generation parts 10 a, 10 b are formed in a substantiallyhemispherical shape. Ion emission holes 14 a, 14 b formed in a circularshape with a diameter of, for example, about 8 mm are opened at theplane surface part of the hemisphere, and the top part of the hemisphereis connected to the main body case 14 through a high-voltage wire.

Discharge electrodes 11 a, 11 b formed in stylus shape are arranged in amanner of crossing in a direction perpendicular to the emission holesalmost at the center inside the emission holes 14 a, 14 b. In addition,counter electrodes 12 a, 12 b formed in annular shape are arrangedoppositely along the emission holes 14 a, 14 b at the surrounding of thedischarge electrodes 11 a, 11 b.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an example of configuration of theion generation apparatus.

With regard to the ion generation apparatus 10, the counter electrodes12 a, 12 b and the discharge electrodes 11 a, 11 b are connected to ahigh-voltage power supply part 13 stored inside the main body case 14.

The high-voltage power supply part 13 is connected to an AC 100V powersupply 15 through an outlet, and the anode of a diode D1 is connected toone plug of the outlet. One terminal of a capacitor C1 and the anode ofa two-terminal thyristor D2 are connected to the cathode of the diode D1through a resistor R1. The other terminal of the capacitor C1 isconnected to the other plug of the outlet, and the primary coil of atransformer 16 is connected between the cathode of the two-terminalthyristor D2 and the other plug of the outlet.

One terminal of the secondary coil of the transformer 16 is connected tothe cathode of a diode D3 of the ion generation part 10 a, and the anodeof the diode D3 is connected to the discharge electrode 11 a. The oneterminal of the secondary coil of the transformer 16 is also connectedto the anode of a diode D4 of the ion generation part 10 b, and thecathode of the diode D4 is connected to the discharge electrode 11 b.

The other terminal of the secondary coil of the transformer 16 isconnected to the counter electrodes 12 a, 12 b.

The high-voltage power supply part 13 connected to the dischargeelectrode 11 a at one side generates a negative high-voltage pulsevoltage (for example, a frequency of 60 Hz, a point voltage about −2kV). The high-voltage power supply part 13 connected to the dischargeelectrode 11 b at the other side generates a positive high-voltage pulsevoltage (for example, a frequency of 60 Hz, a point voltage about 2 kV).Therefore, the electricity discharge occurs between the tips of thedischarge electrodes 11 a, 11 b and the counter electrodes 12 a, 12 b,and then plasma is generated. Because of the generated plasma, amolecule such as oxygen (O₂) and water (H₂O)_(m) in air receives energy.

When the voltage applied to the discharge electrode is a positivevoltage, a water molecule in air is ionized and then a hydrogen ion (H⁺)is generated. The hydrogen ion clusters around a water molecule in air,and then a positive ion composed of H⁺(H₂O)_(m) (m is an arbitrarynatural number) is mainly generated. Then, the positive ions are emittedfrom the emission hole 14 b with the discharge electrode 11 b.

When the voltage applied to the discharge electrode is a negativevoltage, an oxygen molecule or a water molecule in air is ionized, andthen an oxygen ion (O₂ ⁻) is generated. The oxygen ion clusters around awater molecule in air, and then a negative ion composed of O₂ ⁻(H₂O)_(n)(n is an arbitrary natural number) is mainly generated. Then, thenegative ions are emitted from the emission hole 14 a with the dischargeelectrode 11 a.

With regard to the Embodiment 1, the positive ion generation part andthe negative ion generation part are arranged at the positions mutuallyopposite to each other relative to the air flow channel 3 and thedischarge port 1. Since the ions which are generated by the positive iongeneration part and the negative ion generation part respectively andflowed with the air sent from the discharge port 1 can reach the user'shair without being combined and eliminated by the attractive force ofions with reverse polarity, it is possible to arrange both iongeneration parts to each other closely.

Based on the confirmation made by the inventors, if the positive iongeneration part and the negative ion generation part are about 20 mmaway from the direction which is orthogonal to the delivery direction ofair, then the effect of ions can be attained.

Moreover, though the positive ion generation part and the negative iongeneration part are further arranged closely to the extent of making acontact to each other, it is unavoidable that a part of ions iseliminated by combination, however, the effect is not necessarily lost.It is preferable that the positive ion generation part and the negativeion generation part are arranged such that the positive ions andnegative ions are transported by the air sent from the discharge port 1.

The operation of the cosmetic apparatus having such configuration isdescribed hereinafter.

With regard to this cosmetic apparatus, when the operation switch 6 ison, the air blowing mechanism 4 and the ion generation apparatus 10 areactivated. In this case, the air blowing mechanism 4 blows air below awind speed of 15 m/s at the position of an object.

The air blowing mechanism 4 sends the air sucked in through the suctionport 2 from the discharge port 1. During the “drying operation” forgenerating warming air to be used for drying hair, the heating part 5 isin operation.

The negative ions and positive ions generated by the ion generationparts 10 a, 10 b respectively are emitted, individually. The generatedions are emitted to the front through air, which flows through thebranch paths 3 a, 3 b, and then the generated ions flowed with the airstream to be sent from the discharge port 1 are irradiated on the user'shair.

With regard to the cosmetic apparatus described in Embodiment 1, it isconfigured such that a moisture retaining operation and a dryingoperation are selectable. During the moisture retaining operation, theair blowing mechanism 4 and the ion generation apparatus 10 are inoperation. In addition, during the drying operation, the air blowingmechanism 4 and the heating part 5 are in operation.

The moisture generated by the combination of a positive ion H⁺(H₂O)_(m)and a negative ion O₂ ⁻(H₂O)_(n) and the moisture clustering around theboth ions are different from commonly recognized water. Due to the sizeof molecule level, it is considered that the moisture amount is directlyincreased with the penetration into the interior regardless of thesurface tissue of hair.

Generally, the ion generation apparatus by discharge can generatevarious kinds of ions, however, it is preferable to generate lessnitrogen oxides in view of the influence on hair.

With regard to the water sucked into hair generated by the ion reactionsor the water sucked into hair clustering around ions, a molecular motionis activated by heating and then a diffusion into air is caused.Therefore, it is preferable not to activate the heating part 5 duringthe moisture retaining operation.

On the contrary, during the drying operation, since the both generatedions act as electrical charges, ions with polarity reverse to theelectrical charge included in hair are mainly sucked into hair and thenelectric static charges are removed. Generally, as hair is easilycarried with a positive charge, the negative ions to be sent are suckedinto hair and then the positive ions are repelled.

As described above, although it is not expected to have the effect ofmoisture retaining during the drying operation, the effect of chargeremoving can be attained. Therefore, it is preferable that the iongeneration apparatus 10 is capable of maintaining operation.

Accordingly, the user-friendliness can be enhanced by providing a“drying operation” mode to operate the air blowing mechanism 4, theheating part 5 and the ion generation apparatus 10 and a “moistureretaining operation” mode to operate only the air blowing mechanism 4and the ion generation apparatus 10.

Instead of an automatic operation, it is possible that all functions canbe selected by a user. It is preferable that air quantity of the airblowing mechanism 4 can be selected by “strong”, “weak” and “stop”, andit is preferable that “operation”/“stop” of the ion generation apparatus10 and “operation”/“stop” of the heating part 5 are selectable.Generally, configuring the operation switch 6 as a multi-circuit switchor providing switch separately to make on/off on each function means isa well-known matter, therefore, the detailed description is omitted.

Embodiment 2

Since the electrification of hair is changed by seasons and quality ofhair, in addition to the Embodiment 1, it is preferable to configure anion generation apparatus 10 such that the user can change the amount ofion generation.

Similarly, the user-friendliness can be enhanced by making aconfiguration capable of changing air blowing quantity from the airblowing mechanism 4. In this case, it is preferable to increase theamount of ion generation made by the ion generation apparatus 10 tomaintain the concentration of ions even if the air blowing quantity islarge.

Generally, the amount of ion generation made by the ion generationapparatus 10 is naturally increased with the increasing air flow passingthrough the ion generation parts 10 a, 10 b without changing a voltageapplied to the discharge electrodes 11 a, 11 b. However, it is notnecessarily to sustain the expected concentration of ions, therefore, itis preferable to make a configuration capable of changing a pulseapplied to the discharge electrodes 11 a, 11 b.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an example of configuration of anion generation apparatus of a cosmetic apparatus as the Embodiment 2related to the present invention.

This ion generation apparatus 10 c is an example of adding a switchingelement conducted by the computer control at the exterior in theconfiguration of the ion generation apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 4.

This switching element is an NPN transistor TR, the base is connected tothe output terminal of a microcomputer through a resistor R3, and thecollector is connected to the cathode of a photodiode D5 in aphotocoupler 17 through a resistor R2. A resistor R4 is connectedbetween the base and emitter of the transistor TR, and the negativeterminal of a 12V battery 19 is connected to the emitter. The positiveterminal of the battery 19 is connected to the anode of the photodiodeD5.

The photo-receiving side (output side) of the photocoupler 17 is abidirectional photodiode T, and the bidirectional photodiode T isconnected between the other terminal of an AC 100V power supply and theother terminal of a capacitor C1.

It is also possible to incorporate the switching element TR into themain body circuit of the ion generation apparatus 10 c. The number ofpulses applied to the ion generation parts 10 a, 10 b can be changed bystoring the switching element TR in the main body of the ion generationapparatus 10 c and then switching power to be supplied to the iongeneration apparatus 10 c on/off at any arbitrary timing through themicrocomputer.

Generally, the amount of ion generation is increased with the increasingnumber of pulses, and the amount of ion generation is decreased with thedecreasing number of pulses. It is common to provide a means foruniformly designating increasing and decreasing amount of ions in themain body of the cosmetic apparatus, that is, a “increasingamount/decreasing amount” switch, “increasing amount” button and“decreasing amount” button for enhancing the user-friendliness.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a diagrammatic configuration ofa hair dryer for commercial use as an Embodiment 3 of a method and anapparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage related to thepresent invention.

The hair dryer for commercial use is a large-sized hair dryer machine tobe used in hair salon and the like that is worn in a manner of coveringthe user's head entirely, as shown in FIG. 8B.

With regard to the hair dryer for commercial use shown in FIG. 8A, aplurality of openings 207 for sucking in air are arranged and formed incircular shape at the top part of a dome-shaped enclosure 201, and ablower 202 and a heating device 203 are provided at the top part insidethe dome-shaped enclosure 201. In addition, a hole-opening disc-shapedpartition plate 205 for partitioning the space between the blower 202and the heating device 203 forms a space 206 for accommodating theuser's head. A humidification part 208 including a sponge and the likehaving a water retention function for humidifying air to be sucked in isprovided at each opening 207.

A plurality of ion generation apparatuses 204 are arranged at the bottomsurfaces of the partition plates 205. The ion generation apparatus 204used herein is a unit-type which is embedded with a high-voltage circuitand includes a positive ion generation part and a negative iongeneration part.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of appearance of the iongeneration apparatus 204.

The plurality of ion generation apparatuses 204 are arranged in circularshape centered on the opening part at the center of the partition plate205 (FIG. 8) and supply sufficient amount of ions to the space 206 (FIG.8).

This ion generation apparatus 204 includes a positive ion generationpart 204 a and a negative ion generation part 204 b, and an inductionelectrode 204 c formed with a hole-opening metal plate is arranged suchthat it is opposite to the positive ion generation part 204 a and thenegative ion generation part 204 b respectively. The positive iongeneration part 204 a and the negative generation part 204 b aredischarge electrodes formed in stylus shape respectively, and ions aregenerated by applying a high voltage between the parts 204 a, 204 b andthe induction electrodes 204 c.

With regard to the hair dryer 20 for commercial use, the necessaryfunction, without making particular changes in each case of theEmbodiments 1 and 2, includes a “Warm Air Drying Mode” for heating airto dry hair and a “Cool Air Drying Mode” for drying hair without heatingair.

The effect of readily trimming hair by removing the electrification ofhair in the “Warm Air Drying Mode” is expected to be similar in eachcase of the Embodiments 1 and 2.

Accordingly, the blower 202, the heating device 203 and the iongeneration apparatus 204 are operated in the “Warm Air Drying Mode”.

Additionally, with regard to the “Cool Air Drying Mode”, the effect ofproviding moisture to hair and improving the quality of hair isexpected, and the blower 202 and the ion generation apparatus 204 are inoperation.

It is preferable to provide an ion quantity adjusting means for changingthe amount of ions as similar in each case of the Embodiments 1 and 2for adjusting drying conditions differed by the seasons and hairquality.

In the both operation modes, air is sucked into the plurality ofopenings 207 arranged at the top part of the dome-shaped enclosure 201and sent to the space 206 from the gap between the partition plate 205and the inner wall of the dome-shaped enclosure 201.

Generally, the hair dryer for commercial use is provided with a timerdevice (not shown) for controlling a drying time and with a temperaturesetting device (not shown) for controlling the degree of heating, whichis a well-known matter, therefore, the detailed description is omitted.

(Verification 1)

The experiments about the variation of moisture amount of hair blown bythe air containing positive ions and negative ions generated by the iongeneration parts 10 a, 10 b and the air free of ions were conducted, andthe results are explained hereinafter.

(Experimental Method) <Preparation of Damaged Hair (Human Hair) Sample>

A 15 cm, 2 g black hair bundle was soaked in a 1% polyoxyethylene (POE)sodium lauryl sulfate aqueous solution at 30 to 35° C. for 1 minute.

After rinsing the sample with flowing water and wiping off moisture witha towel, the sample was dried by a dryer.

After the hair was soaked in the mixed solution containing 4.5% hydrogenperoxide and 2.5% ammonia in a ratio of 1:1 for 20 minutes, rinsed withflowing water and wiped off moisture with a towel, the hair was dried bya dryer.

<Ion Irradiation>

Ions with different concentration were irradiated to the hair sample inthe room at the temperature of 20±2° C. and the humidity of 50±5%.

<Measurement of Moisture Amount>

2 g of the hair sample after ion irradiation was taken and heated at thetemperature of 65° C. for 40 minutes. The total weight decreased duringthis heating process was regarded as moisture amount, and the moistureamount decreased herein was regarded as primary transpiration moisture.

Moreover, the hair sample was heated at 180° C. for 30 minutes and thenthe weight was measured. The moisture amount decreased herein wasregarded as secondary transpiration moisture.

Based on the obtained value, the secondary transpiration moisture amount(secondary transpiration moisture percentage) relative to the dryingweight of hair (the weight of hair after being heated at 180° C. for 30minutes) was evaluated.

(Experiment 1)

To achieve the concentration of ions to be irradiated to the hair sampleat positive and negative 100,000 ions/cm³, the hair sample forconducting damage processing was arranged at the position 50 cm awayfrom an ion generation apparatus provided with an ion generating elementand a fan for diffusing ions and was irradiated for 8 hours. Since thewind speed at the position of the sample was 0.05 m/s, it was contrastedwith natural standing because of the similar condition as no-wind.

Thus, the measurement result of the variation of moisture amount of hairsample is shown in FIG. 5. The graph shown in FIG. 5 illustratestemporal variations in the moisture amount of hair in contact with theair containing positive and negative ions and in the moisture amount ofhair in natural standing with the air containing no ions.

According to this graph, the hair irradiated with positive and negativeions had a moisture amount of 115.1% as compared with the case prior toperforming irradiation, however, the hair irradiated with only wind hada moisture amount of 68.2%. With regard to the hair irradiated withions, the result of increased moisture amount was obtained as comparedwith the hair not irradiated with ions.

(Experiment 2)

To achieve the concentration of ions to be irradiated to the hair sampleat positive and negative 3,000,000 ions/cm³, the hair sample forconducting damage processing was arranged at the position 10 cm awayfrom an ion generation apparatus provided with an ion generating elementand a fan for diffusing ions and was irradiated for 8 hours. Since thewind speed at the position of the sample was 2.9 m/s, it was contrastedwith conducting only blowing with a use of same fan.

Thus, the measurement result of the variation of moisture amount of hairsample is shown in FIG. 6. The graph shown in FIG. 6 illustratestemporal variations in the moisture amount of hair in contact with theair containing positive and negative ions and in the moisture amount ofhair in contact with the air containing no ions.

According to this graph, the hair irradiated with positive and negativeions had a moisture amount of about 113.2% as compared with the caseprior to performing irradiation, however, the hair irradiated with onlywind had a moisture amount of 88.3%. With regard to the hair irradiatedwith ions, the result of increased moisture amount was obtained ascompared with the hair not irradiated with ions.

(Experiment 3)

To achieve the concentration of ions to be irradiated to the hair sampleat positive and negative 2,000,000 ions/cm³, the hair sample forconducting damage processing was arranged at the position 15 cm awayfrom an ion generation apparatus provided with an ion generating elementand a fan for diffusing ions and was irradiated for 20 minutes. Sincethe wind speed at the position of the sample was 8.4 m/s, it wascontrasted with conducting only blowing with a use of the same fan.

Thus, the measurement result of the variation of moisture amount of hairsample is shown in FIG. 10. The graph shown in FIG. 10 illustratestemporal variations in the moisture amount of hair in contact with theair containing positive and negative ions and in the moisture amount ofhair in contact with the air containing no ions.

According to this graph, the hair irradiated with positive and negativeions had a moisture amount of about 110.4% as compared with the haironly blown by the air containing no ions. With regard to the hairirradiated with ions, the result of increased moisture amount wasobtained as compared with the hair not irradiated with ions.

Therefore, in the case of hair, it was verified that moisture retentioncan be achieved regardless of wind speed.

(Verification 2)

The experiments about the amount of hair damage generation with the aircontaining positive ions and negative ions generated by the iongeneration parts 10 a, 10 b and the air free of ions were conducted, andthe results are explained hereinafter.

(Experimental Method) <Preparation of Damaged Hair (Human Hair) Sample>

A 60 cm, 5 g black hair bundle was soaked in a 1% polyoxyethylene (POE)sodium lauryl sulfate aqueous solution at 30 to 35° C. for 1 minute.

After rinsing the sample with flowing water and wiping off moisture witha towel, the sample was dried by a dryer.

After the hair was soaked in the mixed solution containing 4.5% hydrogenperoxide and 2.5% ammonia in a ratio of 1:1 for 20 minutes, rinsed withflowing water and wiped off moisture with a towel, the hair was dried bya dryer.

<Ion Irradiation>

In the room at the temperature of 20±2° C. and the humidity of 50±5%,the hair sample for conducting damage processing was arranged at theposition 15 cm away from an ion generation apparatus provided with anion generating element and a fan for diffusing ions in order to achievethe concentration of ions to be irradiated to the hair sample atpositive and negative 3,000,000 ions/cm³. The hair sample was brushedwith the revolution speed of 100 turns per minute and was irradiatedwith ions through a hot air (about 125° C.) for 15 minutes. Since thewind speed at the position of sample was 14 m/s to 15 m/s, it wascontrasted with conducting only blowing with a use of the same fan.

<Evaluation of the Amount of Hair Damage Generation>

A hair bundle to which treatment was conducted was observed, and numberof pieces of generated split hair and cracked hair was counted.

Thus, the counting result of the damaged hair generated on the hairsample is shown in FIG. 11. The graph shown in FIG. 11 illustrates thenumber of pieces of split hair and cracked hair generated on the hair incontact with the air containing positive and negative ions as well asthe hair in contact with the air containing no ions.

According to this graph, the number of pieces of split hair or crackedhair on the hair irradiated with positive and negative ions is halvedapproximately as compared with the hair in contact with the aircontaining no ions. The hair irradiated with ions attained the effect ofsuppressing damage as compared with the hair not irradiated with ions.

The above-mentioned effect is capable of neutralizing a brush carriedwith a negative charge and a brush carried with a positive charge toreduce friction during brushing because the method for humidifying hairand reducing hair damage not only provides moisture to hair and enhanceshair strength but also generates positive and negative ions.

The method and the apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hairdamage related to the present invention are capable of conducting waterretention to hair safely and easily along with reducing damage duringbrushing by applying to a hair dryer for commercial use utilized in ahand dryer and a hair dresser salon without using medicine and steam.

The present invention is applicable to the method and the apparatus forhumidifying hair and reducing hair damage that are utilized forhumidifying hair and reducing hair damage for readily improvinghumidification of hair and damage of hair using both positive ions andnegative ions as well as reducing hair injury such as serious split hairor cracked hair, which easily occurs at the time of drying and stylingwashed hair.

It is to be noted that the disclosed embodiment is illustrative and notrestrictive in all aspects. The scope of the present invention isdefined by the appended claims rather than by the description precedingthem, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims,or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intendedto be embraced by the claims.

1.-9. (canceled)
 10. A method for humidifying hair and reducing hairdamage, comprising: preparing a positive ion generation unit whichdischarges electricity by the application of voltage to generatepositive ions combined to water molecules and a negative ion generationunit which discharges electricity by the application of voltage togenerate negative ions combined to water molecules; and humidifying hairand reducing damage occurring in hair by irradiating the positive ionsand negative ions generated respectively by the positive ion generationunit and the negative ion generation unit to hair.
 11. The method forhumidifying hair and reducing hair damage according to claim 10, whereinthe positive ion is H⁺(H₂O)_(m) (m is an arbitrary natural number), andthe negative ion is O₂ ⁻(H₂O)_(n) (n is an arbitrary natural number).12. The method for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage accordingto claim 10, further comprising: preparing an air blowing mechanismwhich blows air including the positive ions and negative ions generatedrespectively by the positive ion generation unit and the negative iongeneration unit; and blowing air from the air blowing mechanism.
 13. Anapparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage, comprising: apositive ion generation unit which discharges electricity by theapplication of voltage to generate positive ions combined to watermolecules; and a negative ion generation unit which dischargeselectricity by the application of voltage to generate negative ionscombined to water molecules, wherein hair is irradiated with thepositive ions and negative ions generated respectively by the positiveion generation unit and the negative ion generation unit.
 14. Theapparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hair damage according toclaim 13, wherein the positive ion is H⁺(H₂O)_(m) (m is an arbitrarynatural number), and the negative ion is O₂ ⁻(H₂O)_(n) (n is anarbitrary natural number).
 15. The apparatus for humidifying hair andreducing hair damage according to claim 13, wherein the positive iongeneration unit and the negative ion generation unit are capable ofchanging the amount of positive ions and negative ions to be generatedrespectively.
 16. The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hairdamage according to claim 13, further comprising: an air blowingmechanism which blows air including the positive ions and negative ionsgenerated respectively by the positive ion generation unit and thenegative ion generation unit.
 17. The apparatus for humidifying hair andreducing hair damage according to claim 16, wherein the air blowingmechanism blows air at a wind speed not more than 15 m/s to an object tobe blown.
 18. The apparatus for humidifying hair and reducing hairdamage according to claim 16, further comprising: a heating unit whichheats air blown from the air blowing mechanism.